is being Rasta like having a lobotomy?

or should i say does ACTING rasta make you act like you've had a lobotomy?

no offense, please, i think i'm asking something here that could be useful.

it occurs to me though that there is no sense used here when citing certain rasta sayings and beliefs. and as mentioned on this board already, there doesn't seem be much critical thinking -- or any use of thought whatsoever -- in association with the rastaspeak on this board.

in fact, it seems to me that all you need to do pass yourself as rasta around here is be able to find previously-developed thoughts and information and then regurgitate it.

so i wonder if a better name for someone like that would be a cut-n-pastifarian?

this is not an attack, just some points.

but i predict:

1) someone will insist that i am not "positive"
2) someone will attack me instead of address my reasonings

You change names like a Chameleon changes color.
Anyway, how many threads have you really checked bout here?
Many post are quote or writing from others, but they never claim to be original.
Doesn't the thoughts and ideas of others sometimes give you a good meditation?
I write my own thoughts, and also "regurgitate" many things that I have found inspiring, what is the harm in that?
Many souls on this board. I don't agree with everything that is said either, yet I have much respect for all that take the time to share their thoughts and feelings.
I respect yours as well I just hope you don't come away from this board with a negative feeling towards it, and if you are going to the fest, link up with some of us. It's going to be so Irie.
ForwardZion

Yes I, every RELIGION!!
Too bad the serpent haffi mash up the teaching of Christ and lie to the masses.
Fyah pon Rome.
Remember, "There was no synagogue that was built by Jesus Christ"
Note : quote cut and paste by Bunny Wailer

Both the original poster and good ol' dirtweed could be more specific in your info.
What was the original question? Why does it seem that rastas have just had a lobotomy? Really man, I would be happy to reason with you if you have real questions about InI faith. But how can anyone reply to that kind of inquiry? You really are just flaming right now, which is a shame because I bet you have alot to offer this board and I. I bet you could learn a thing or two, too.
You can front like that kid, and get a decent reception. Get over yourself and start working in your community...grow a little love and tolerance. I know some folks on this board hailing RastaFarI yet are full of scorn and sharp tongue. It is too easy to hide behind a computer and spew your crappy thoughts all over cyberspace. It is not a good example of InI faith. Let us all return to self moderation!
And dirtweed, there are only 2 folks I know on this board from chico and I don't understand where your vile words come from but it is certainly undeserved. Either, I always seem to pity you and will continue to pray that you can just grow up a bit and join the rest of us in the desire for peaceful and uplifting vibes.
To conquer all this sh*t vibes all of us on this forum should carry a small white surrender flag on a stick at the festival. And when we see eachother and state our names we can either hug or sock the sh*t out of eachother. Either way, resolution will happy and all of cyberspace will be a friendler place. Sound good???
In love,
Sis April

Cut-n-pastafarian...hey that is good. Funny stuff. And if ya can't laugh at it then what can you do?

Honestly, I think your thought process on this is going in the right direction. All this fighting about dreads, music and religion is driving me nuts and it really does seem the responses are quotes...where's the thought process that one goes through on their own?

remember also wick people tryed dat quote & dem dont beleive in the most high but i* do beleive in the mother earth & father time. microchip666 iz the mark of the beast iNi must nah let dem do dat to iNi. -RASpects+

you got a bad attidude april, pleeeeeze don't sock me at the festival. it appears your love and tolerance only extend to those who agree with you. please re-read my post and verify that there are <vile words> there??

I have a question too...what are you all doing on June 20th because I know this Irie festival that I go to every year and I thought you all might want to share in the POSITVE vibes. That is, of course, if you not stuck in cyberspace arguing about tings.

Doesn't religion exist to serve itself? It's not like it's trying to tell the truth. Just do your research and you will see. It's funny how every time someone asks a question seeking some truth that they get shot down. Kinda reminds of the BUsh administration. Wait, aren't they controlled by the Christian right? REPRESS!!!!!

Dirtweed, bro, I really don't understand why you have this hate thing going on with me. I don't have a bad attitude at all, which I'm sure you could see if you would just take your hate-lenses off for a while. My love extends to all and I have zero expectation for others to see as I do. Seeing eye to eye with me is not a prequalification for I love. Seen! I do see, though, that you have a strongly defensive and accusatory nature, which if not moderated will surely come to kick you in the butt.
Do as you will, my beloved dirtweed, I loveth thee still.
And FYI, I am not feeling defensive or trespassed by anyone on this board. Obviously, my comment about socking each other up is a feeble attempt at jokery. Pardon I failure.
Vile intent is an underlying current in your posts, my love. Vile words, vile intent, all the same.
Again, confusehimself is refusing to be CLEAR about what his questions are. My sentence, your sentence, 'acting' etc. It's all the same jumble. Let us all know when you figure out what your getting at and all the rastas will be glad to help.

He can't wait to play.
Sitting in front on computer screen
"tap, tap, tap...........is this thing on?"
Don't let him antagonize you, he just waiting for any of us to make a so called hypocritical statement and then, pounce!
I don't like this game.
Were all hypocritical sometimes, are were all human.

so according to you i have a "strongly defensive and accusatory nature". you, dear sis april, reacted to my post (and yes my "feeble attempt at jokery) with a tirade against me. that, to me, would suggest that it is you who is strongly defensive and accusatory. for me to respond like i did was wrong but please note that you called me out and i don't think that was very nice. thank you for the pity and prayers, i will put them where i put all needless things. and truly, i am sorry i said you have a bad attitude. you don't (until riled).

uh, cut the crap. You know you were meaning to offend people with your lobotomy question. If you weren't, you wouldn't have put it that way. Please don't pretend now like you were just curious. This is some ridiculous bs. For the record, I'm not offended, but don't slap someone in the face and then ask why they're angry at you. Please...

This whole thread is a joke. It's time to leave the rastas alone and let them beileve what they want. There's something both attractive and annoying about Rastas' undying faith. You want to debate it? GO to the Rasta group in Yahoo groups or one of the others. Some of them are liking me there. They'e hitting me up on Yahoo Messenger now wanting to debate the homosexual thing. One guy just the other night wanted to know if I was rasta, thinking that I was a rasta in favor of homosexuality, which I'm neither for or against, just accept it yet don't want it promoted to me or my kids. I told him I wasn't and couldn't represent rastas, but was born Jewish. He replies that we can debate about being Jewish. Nice. I replied that I just choose to be human. It reminds of a co-worker I once had who belongs to a very traditional old school sect of Christianity. You know, no makeup, no dresses that rise above the ankles, that kind of thing. I ask her what she thinks about one of our co-workers who is Mormon and she says that if they knew how to read the Bible, they wouldn't be Mormons. I then ask her about me and she tells me God has a plan for us Jews. We're going to burn in hell for selling out his son. Needless to say she still came to work everyday and worked with me even though I know how she feels. It all comes down to this. Live and let live. Keep your religion or whatever to yourself. It is between you and whoever you pray to. For those Rastas that get upset at people's reactions to them, remember that you are pushing them with your Psalms and such. You have every right to do it, but don't be surprised if people feel like you're prosteletizing to them. Rasta is just a sliver of reggae music and this board is supposed to be about the music and fest not Rastafarianism. Regardless of what I say, just remember what I said in another post that you may be the one dancing next to me or sharing that spliff. If you got to know me, you may not like me. I just hope this crap doesn't carry over to the fest. I wouldn't want to get my ass kicked for being a baldhead. haha

baldheads... this might be a hole differnt discusion but i must say- i to used to shave my head for a long time(bout 10 yrs) and i wouldnt say i got dirty looks(at the fest)but i could almost read peoples thoughts by their facial expretions. i dont understand the thing bout baldheads. is this a bad thing? just curious. please dont chase this (x) baldhead out of town-i come in peace.
one love-juan love

I agree with you 200% as I too have seen the wanna-be on any given sunday rasta. Didn't Morgan Heritage say, "you don't have to dread to be rasta?" and how many actually know that "Rastafari" was an Ethiopian Emporer? or the "passion of the Christ incarnate?" Nevertheless, to have Rasta in you would be the same as to have Christ in you! Yet who will be the first to quote the sayings of Christ!
Yes mankind is confused about what is the truth and what is the catch phrase of the day! Wake up and realize you can't get to that peaceful place until you speak the truth and those who look deep into your eyes will see the truth as well as the lies!

Perpetuate the truth and dispell the lies, only then will genuine peace manifest itself!
Peace is another manifestation of "GOD, JAH, THE MOSTHIGH"

Sis April - Sistren, the break down of Lobotomy was ITES!! Word, sound is the POWER

The interesting thing about this board is that all who respond to posts dealing with Rastafari are obviously interested in the natural mystic.. Considering the music that rules Sierra Nevada and the culture of that music... Keep the fire burning for the purification... RasTafarI

I have respect for your thought process. you trully express yourself with intellect and "overstanding" and I do accept you because you have the aptitude and ability to convey your opinion. good for you!

if you truly would like to know. be patient and please attend dis great festival. when you spot a rasta, politely greet em and ask em anyting you want to know about rasta and em would respond wit a smile and gladly answer all your questions. Dat would be da best way. It would also avoid all dis computer mix up.

"Perpetuate the truth and dispell the lies, only then will genuine peace manifest itself!to have Rasta in you would be the same as to have Christ in you!Peace is another manifestation of "GOD, JAH, THE MOSTHIGH"

well after a couple days away i came back and re-read this thread, and see that the way i asked my questions could be easily taken as irritating if not inflammatory. i know i could have asked better because there are two people in this thread that know me, and one saw where i'm coming from and the other did not. i also see that there is more commentary but still no useful response, so i'll try to re-re-re-rephrase in case it helps.

first let me reiterate that i am not attacking anyone in particular, or Rasta in general, or anyone or anything at all.

and i'll add that i do have some knowledge of Rasta tentets based on my reading of Jahug and the Kebra Negast. i have also invested time with some long long dreadlocks -- rasta and bingiman.

my questions were phrased the way they were to grab the attention of the people using rastaspeak on this board because i noticed something about their use, which was different than my experiences with others' use.

here is what i still am trying to find out: to what extent are the people citing Rasta here integrating critical thought in their assertions? or are these simply recitations that without practical applicability essentially ring hollow?

Before reading all the many other post to this message. id like to state my thoughts.
It sounds to me like a lack of Information on your part "confus-us" if you will.
I am sorry you fell this way about rasta's. but before you critisize any "One"
Person and/or there beliefs realize that every "One" is usually filled with wide spread individualism, relating to the past refrences of lives and beliefs. thus seeming like a lack of well thought and original thoughts as with any religion or beliefs.
Q: and now I ask you, whats the "Groundation" of your critisism? other than ways of communication? and relative thought topics? and
"Last but not least"
Q: How much do you know about rasta history and your own history?
Please reply
-Understanding leads to love.
-PKW

im sorry to say this but i can not even finish reading half of all the posts to this comment because its starting to affect my mood in a negative way.
im sorry to say that confuse us has affected my moods.
I can't read no more!
Peace and Love

I think he is, or at least I am, trying to get some clarification of what the Rasta's beliefs are. I asked a question a while back regarding the belief of Selassie as the Messiah, and the responses were a bunch of cut and paste from various verses of various bibles. I myself was looking for an individuals viewpoint and some reasoning. I have read the bible, and have plenty to reference, but I wanted some insite. Seems when you ask some core questions to the rastas, at least on this board, you are given the same old jargon, same old phrases. Break the phrases down to your own words and explain them with some events, dates, times, which back up or support your belief. I for one am not trying to put down, or question anyones beliefs, just trying to understand that which I cannot see. Some of these people chant about how rightous or concious they are, but then they sit on the internet all day and rip others. Anways just wanted to add my two cents because they confuse-me-too.

Ya'll are driving me nuts. When you're on a message board you can't likely sit down and reason with someone. I'm sure any one of the Rasta’s on this board would be more than happy to sit down with you confused people at the festival and reason with you about what it is to be a Rastafarian. What's the big deal about quoting the bible or anything else for that matter? The bible in whatever form...is history. When you decide to live your life according to a religion you begin by reading material on that religion such as the bible. They’re the words you live by. We're not talking about some new wave cult here. In all honesty...I still don’t know what the question was either.

Again,
WHAT'S THE QUESTION????????
No one can even clarify that much, and confusehimself, that's your First problem.
If ya heart is not clean--- ya can't even BEGIN to overs.....
Blessed Light ya way bredren---In due time the heart will ripen to JAH message. Yes I.....

InI dun overstand said question. Rasta not a religion, but a way that one lives and trods their life with JAH, of JAH, and for JAH.
Does not matter if you're baldhead, dread,whatever....or what color and ethnicity you may be...as long as you accept Jah within I-heart, soul, mind and body you are one with the Most High. For people just realizing this within themselves, at whatever point they may be in their lives, there has to be some core beliefs to live by, meditate on as we trod on in Jah's sight. So for InI self, InI dun cite the 'cut-n-paste' pon Rasta. If what you feel in your heart and in the music of Rasta in true, thats all that matters in the Most High's sight.